My WI papercrafting journey

Last month I was delight to be invited back to my Mum's Womens' Institute (WI) group as their guest speaker at their AGM. I spoke there 2 years ago about my handmade jewellery and if you missed that post you can see it here. This time I was asked to speak about my papercrafting and I called my talk "My papercrafting journey"

When I was preparing for my talk I was intrigued to see how my papercrafting journey has evolved over the years especially since I retired from physiotherapy. How could I have possible known over 25 years ago when I bought my first stamp that I would be on 3 design teams having  my work on TV and published in several magazines?

Here are a couple of photos from this lovely afternoon.

I asked the ladies to give me a wave before I started

and they were kind enough to clap me at the end

and of course the afternoon had to feature handmade cake, tea

and lots of friendly chat.

I took along lots of projects, from cards to my scrap books and of course Jane's Journal! I gave Dotty's Teahouse a mention as Pett's Wood is not too far away for a visit. 

They even had a write up of my talk in their monthly newsletter which was so kind.

My card today is a new wedding card sale at Dotty's Teahouse as wedding season is in full swing.

I used a Lili of the Valley simply print digi and added lots of white and shimmer white summery die cuts. The stamp is Lili of the Valley and the butterfly is a Visible Image stamp which I have embossed and watercoloured. 

Crafty Catz 3/3 anything goes
Pixie's snippets playground #329

As you like it 3/3 favourite type of embossing and why for this card is it embossing using an embossing folder as it gives the perfect white on white background for my die cuts.

Time out 2/3 warm

Simon says stamp Wednesday bright and cheerful

Lil patch of crafty friends 2/3 anything goes
Die cutting Divas 1/3 add a buterfly

Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. This glorious weather continues, it feels like I'm in the Med! I'm off out to meet my dearest friend Karen for lunch and a catch up soon...let's hope the cafe has air con! 

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x

Talking Jewellery at the Womens' Institute (WI)

I was delighted to be invited as the Guest Speaker at a WI (Womens' Institute) meeting last Thursday. Earlier this year I received a lovely email from the group's events organiser who asked me if I would speak about my jewellery making. I was very pleased to accept the invitation.

I spoke for 40 minutes and as well as describing my jewellery journey over the last 14 years I also showed lots of my silversmithing and beaded jewellery. Here are just a few of the many pieces I shared.
From my first ring (very basic)

through my "middle years" playing with enamelling

onto chain making and delft clay casting.

Up until present day where I combined my card making and silver smithing to make a silver hinged card pendant. 

I talked about the lampwork beads I use as well as all the semi precious stones I use. 

 And the fun bag charms I make.

I also spoke about my jewellery parties and took some of my stock to sell.
I took a few photos to share of afternoon. It was great fun.

I was so busy after my talk that I didn't get a chance to take a photo of the table I had set up to sell my beaded jewellery. You can just see a peep of the corner of it in the photo below.

It was a most enjoyable afternoon.

As it is Father's Day today my challenge card is a one I made for selling at Dotty's Teahouse but there is a very funny story behind it.

My son arrived at lunchtime laden with gorgeous pressies for my Hb and a Father's day card......
...............................bless him, he had been down to Dotty's Teahouse and bought one of my cards for sale there. How about that for family support eh! My Hb did a double take when he opened it as he thought that the Mo Manning image looked a little familiar..LOLOL!
Here it is on the kitchen side

and as well as the gin, chocolate featured too :0)

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges; I coloured my image with Promarkers.

Pixie's Snippets playground #234 I have use a snippet of card for the sentiment and for cutting my die cuts.
Try it on Tuesday all about him
Die cuttin Divas Father's day
Double D challenges all about the boys
As you like it  1/3 favourite die and why I have lots but I love this Spellbinders die as it is just so versatile and I love using it as layer and mats.
Crafty Calender 2/3 Father's day/male
Ribbon Girl 1/3 any image

Happy Father's day to all those lovely Dads out there including my own. We had a lovely dry day in S'Ton yesterday and managed our coastal walk which finished off with afternoon tea and cake..what else? Enjoy the end of the weekend

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x